The relationship between self-compassion and burnout in athletes

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-compassion and burnout in athletes. The sample comprised 180 athletes with an average age of 7.13±2.90 years and an average sports experience of 17.28±1.39 years. The data were collected using the "Self-compassion Scale-Athlete Version" and the "Athlete Burnout Questionnaire." Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation analysis, Mann-Whitney U Test, and Kruskal Wallis test were used in the data analysis. The results revealed high scores in the "Self-compassion Scale-Athlete Version," while the highest mean scores were found in the emotional/physical exhaustion sub-scale of the "Athlete Burnout Questionnaire." There was a negative and slightly significant correlation between the self-compassion total scores and the depersonalization sub-scale of the burnout questionnaire. A statistically significant difference was found in the depersonalization sub-scale and the burnout questionnaire by gender. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the self-compassion total scores and the burnout questionnaire sub-scales by age and sports experience. While there was a statistically significant difference in the self-compassion scale by sports branch, there was no similar significant difference in the burnout questionnaire sub-scales. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference in the self-compassion scale by educational status, while a statistically significant difference was observed in the emotional/physical exhaustion sub-scale. It can be concluded that as the self-compassion levels in athletes increase, depersonalization levels decrease. Keywords: Sports, Self-compassion, Burnout